Hollywood could not have written a better script than the one that played out on Saturday night at a packed Citi Field in Queens where New York City Football Club hosted the New York Red Bulls. Only three goals were scored in the match, but each one made a statement about who and what their respective clubs represent. The 2-1 scoreline put the magic back in a derby that had lost some luster over the past few years.
The first goal came quickly less than three minutes in. Santi Rodriguez started a counter attack and found Malachi Jones on the wing. The rookie put a beautiful cross into the box connecting with Hannes Wolf who calmly drew out two Red Bull Defenders before slotting the ball home in the back of the net. It was a well worked team goal played with pace and precision like the NYCFC teams of old.
May 18, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC forward Hannes Wolff (17) moves the ball to score a goal during the first half against the New York Red Bulls at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The crowd went wild. It was a perfect start for the home team and the stadium was rocking. The visitors would not be denied though and Red Bull, while conceding possession, arguably had the better chances the rest of the half on goal. They broke through just before half as Cameron Harper intercepted a pass deep in the final third and deftly hit a rocket of a shot that bounced off the top of the crossbar and landed behind Matt Freese in the back of the net. It was the result of the high press and direct style so loved by Red Bulls. Their persistence and tenacity had paid off. The visiting fans were the ones being herd as the half drew to a close.
May 18, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Red Bulls defender Cameron Harper (17) scores a goal during the first half against New York City FC at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The second half started and continued like two prize fighters taking their punches when they can and trying to land that decisive blow. New York City playing with most of the posesion and quick crisp passing trying to stymie the Red Bull high press. red Bull taking every chance they could to try to get behind city’s line and attack directly.
In the 58th minute Nick Cushing added a twist to the plot, but subbing on Monsef Bakrar for Jovan Miatotovic. Their young striker, who had been brought over by City for nearly nine million dollars, got his first start of the season and did well for the most part but was waning and looking tired by the time he was subbed off. Bakrar, who has done almost everything right for the club except score goals this year came on to mixed applause from the home fans. His streak of goalless games to start the season had many fans sour on him as the man to lead the attack. Cushing has stuck by him through it all and inserted him into the match looking for that decisive punch.
Cushing’s loyalty and believe paid off just four minutes latter when Wolf broke a tackle and slotted the ball to Tayvon Gray who was streaking for the touchline. Gray put a quick cross into the box and Bakrar was making the perfect run to slot it deftly home past the keeper and into the back of the net.
For Bakrar, it seemed like the weight had been lifted from his shoulders as fans went crazy in celebration. This goal had been a long time coming and do get his first of the season in a derby match and win the game was the perfect time to do it. His celebration spoke volumes as he ran nearly half the pitch to find an hug Cushing as a reward for his faith in him.
May 18, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC forward Monsef Bakrar (9) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second half against the New York Red Bulls at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The coach spoke about it after the match. “He has worked incredibly hard to get to our football club and make the step into MLS. I watch him every day, working incredibly hard to refine his ability. Never once did I think he wouldn’t score. Never once did I believe that he wasn’t going to be a top striker at New York City FC for us. It’s about making sure that we continue to work with Mounsef [Bakrar], whether he’s on one goal or 10 goals in, to really hone how he can be a top number nine, because his potential is sky high. You see his physical potential; you see the runs he makes. You can see how he’s learning the game. It was nice, but I almost just want to get back on the training field with him and tweak those little bits where he’s running into the corner instead of staying central. Just [working]on those small details.”
Bakrar new his substitution had to pay off. “It was not a normal game. It was the Derby. When the chance came to me, I just wanted to take it. I had to do something to change the game, to score… When I sit on the bench, it was good for me to see how the game was going. When I came in, I just took my turn, and I scored the goal for the win.”
Red Bull would threaten a few more times and Bakrar would almost get his second of the game with a beautiful turning volley that rattled the crossbar, but the score remained the same from that point out.
New York City is humming right now. They have won six of their last seven matches and combine this derby win with two hard matches on the road against Philadelphia and Toronto. The sluggishness and sloppy play that was evident in the early season losses has been replaced by a team who work hard on defense and punish you on the counter. Their buildup play has vastly improved as well with quick precise passing and runs to space. The boys in blue are starting to feel like a team with an identity on and off the pitch. Their good form of late has pushed them from the bottom to third in the Eastern Conference and Cushings seat, once hot as fire, is now safe again with fans renewing their faith in the direction the club is heading.
Cushing spoke about the next step in the process after the match. “I said to the boys before the game that it was going to be a tough one, and it was going to be a tight one, but that they should just take confidence from the form of the team. If you take confidence and do the same things that you’ve been doing, you’ve got a good chance to continue in the form. It’s not about having a desperation to win, it’s not about trying new things, it’s not about being anxious. They just go play the way we’ve been playing and keep doing the right things. I think the physical ability of the team is far greater than it was last season. The performance team has done an incredible job. We’re in form, but those dips are right around the corner in our league. It’s tricky, right? You can go on a really good run and then all of a sudden you lose two or three [matches], or you draw one and lose one, and you get punched in the face and all of a sudden you’re trying to get that form back. We just got to stay honest as a group, stay humble, recover well and prepare for New England [Revolution] because it’s going to be a really difficult game away at Gillette.”
For Red Bulls it was a frustrating night. They had their chances to be sure and were playing for most of the game without their star offseason signing Emil Forsberg. In the waning moment so of the match Sean Nealis was ejected for receiving his second yellow off of a cynical tackle on Mitja Illenic.
May 18, 2024; Queens, New York, USA; Referee Rosendo Mendoza shows a yellow card to New York Red Bulls defender Sean Nealis (15) during the second half against New York City FC at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Nealis’s ejection was the perfect metaphor for the frustration evident on all the visitor’s faces Nealis knew he had been beaten and rightfully so, but he lashed out anyway trying to salvage something on the night. He was ejected and sent home across the Hudson to reflect on the chances they missed. New York is blue again. For now. The magic is back.
